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170 officials – 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials – will oversee games at World Cup 2026, but the referee we hear from most may well be in the BBC studio.
Darren Cann is a part of the broadcaster’s line-up for this summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The 57-year-old will be brought in to break down contentious decisions and talk through all the big calls at World Cup 2026.
Cann has more than 20 years of officiating experience and has recently moved into broadcasting – but who is he?
Radio Times brings you all the details on BBC World Cup 2026 rules analyst Darren Cann.
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Who is Darren Cann?
Darren Cann is a former Premier League and international assistant referee who now works as the BBC’s rules analyst.
Having worked his way up the football pyramid, can first officiated games in the EFL in 2001 and in the top flight in 2005.
He spent 20 years as an assistant referee in the Premier League and seven years (2007-2014) on FIFA’s international list.
The highlights of his career include the 2010 Champions League final, Euro 2008, and World Cup 2014, when he officiated the final alongside referee Howard Webb.
Since hanging up his boots and flag in 2025, Cann has served as a rules analyst on the BBC – featuring on Match of the Day and now their World Cup 2026 coverage.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
